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A 

SERMON 

ON THE DEATH OF THE 
Hon. WILLIAM I^ATERSON, Esq. L.L.D. 

ONE or THE 

ASSOCIATE JUSTICES 

OF TH« 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

WHO DIED ON THE NINTH OF S?:PTEMBER, EIGHT 
HUNDRED AND SIX, IN THE SIXTY-FIRST 
YEAR oy HIS AGE ; 



PREACHEn IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, IN NEW- 
BRUNSWICK, (NEW-JERSEY) ON THE TWENTY 
FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER. 




BY THE RE FERE YD JOSEPH CLARK, A. M, 

MINISTER OF SAID CHURCH. 



" Mark the perfect man, and behold 't^s opri'gbt: '. : > 
" For the end of that man is peace. "-i—iP^. xxxviri 37. 



NEW BRUNSWICK: 
PRI,NTED BY A. BLAUVELT. 



1806. 



'C/ 
RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Board be presented 

le Rev. Mr. Clark, for his well adapted discoui'se, preach- 
ed oiMhe death of the Honourable Judge Paterson — and that 
he be retiuested to furnish a copy thereof for publication. 

Extract froir the minutes of the Trustees of the Pres- 
byterian Church, in New-Brunswick, Sept. 22, 1 806. 
JOHN NEILSON, Clerk. 



&i 



SERMON. 



2. SAMUEL, III. 38. ^ 

" Ajid the king said unto his ser'vants, Know ye not 
that there is a prince and a great man fallen this 
day in Israel ^''^ 

JL HE loss of men, truly great, has ever 
been considered, in all countries, a pub- 
lick calamity. When such men fall, ^ 
country is called to mourn ! 

An occasion of this kind drew from the 
pious king David the words before us. 

Abner, the son of Ner, had been com- 
mander in chief of the armies of Saul ; a 
man of an enlarged mind, possessing, in 
a high degree, the talents of a great mi- 
litary commander ; strongly attached to 
the interests of his country, and faithful to 
his sovereign. 

Saul was now dead; his son, a weak 
prince, early discovered that he possessed 
not talents equal to the task of governing; 




[ 4 ] 

the affairs of the house of Saul were tot- 
tering, and the hearts of the men of Israel 
were drawing towards David. 

In this state of things Abner became ful- 
ly sensible that, to continue any longer the ^ 
truggle in favour of Saul's house, was vain : 
ithat the good of the country required, 

at the whole tribes should be united un- 
der!^ avid, v/hom he perceived the Lord 
had chosen to be king over his people Is- 
[i|«^el. A personal affront from Ishbosheth, 
Llhe son of Saul, determined him to hasten an 
: event which he saw to be of so much im- i 
portance to the peace and welfare of his coun- 
try. He accordingly repaired to king David 5 
communicated to him his views, and pledg- 
ed himself to do all in his pov/er to bring ' 
about a union of the tribes, and to estab- 
lish the kingdom in David's hands. The 
interview resulted in a manner most P 
agreeable to his benevolent views. He 
took his leave of the king, and was 
just set out to execute with patriotick ardor, 
the generous enterprise in which he was 
n gaged, when Joab, the chief captain in 
the armies of David, returned from pur- 
suing an hostile troop. 

Joab was informed of the interview ;— - 
was told that Abuer had been entertained 



C 5 ] 

by the king in the most friendly manner, 
and was gone away in peace. Burning with 
jealousy in the view of such a rival, and stung 
with rage on account of the death of his bro- 
ther Asahel, who had fallen in battle by the 
hands of Abner, Joab immediately dispatcb||^ 
ed messengers, and brought back Abner ^^™^ 
the city, where, in the most base and treach- 
erous manner, he thrust him through wuh 
the sword that he died ! 

The whole of this base and inhuman 
business had been transa6led without the 
king's knowledge. But when it came to the 
ears of David, he was affected with the 
deepest grief. He put on the garments of 
mourning, and commanded all his servants 
and all the people to movirn for Abner. As 
a mourner he followed the bier ; and at the 
grave he wept and lamented over him, as did 
all the people. " And the king said unto his 
servants, Knov/ ye not that there is a prince 
and a great man fallen this day in Israel ?" 

From the language here used it is mani- 
fest that, the king considered the fail of Ab- 
ner as a loss to the nation ; and that, on 
this account, as well as from the respe^l: 
he had for the character of the deceased, 
he wept and lamented over him. 




I e } 

The words before us are not chosen on 
this occasion, with any view to a compa- 
rison of the character of our deceased 
friend, with his alluded to in the text ; but 
as a declaration of the high importance 
oly great men are to their country ; and 
great loss their country sustains, when 
men are removed. 

eating the subject in this vievv^, I shall 
consider, 

I. What constitutes the truly great man. 

II. The high importance of such men 
to their country. 

I. I shall consider what constitutes the 

fndy great man. 

Certain it is that, neither v/ealth, nor 
rank, nor titles, nor splendid equipage, can 
confer true greatness. Nor cm he ever 
merit the noble distinction v/ho, through 
the lust of a boundless ambition, dis- 
turbs the peace of the w^orid ; deluges 
countries in blood ; robs weaker na- 
tions of their independence, and renders 
them tributary to an insatiable avarice. 
Well were it for the world, could the 
memory of such greatness for ever rot •' 
and its footsteps be never more found 
amongst the dweilings of men'! 



C 7 ] 

The truly great are indeed rare charac- 
ters in every country ; which makes their 
deaths the more a cause of lamentation ! - 
To be truly great^ men must possess great 
natural talents, talents that are solid, and 
suited to advance the best interests of man- 
kind ; — -a strong comprehensive undejBB|L 
standing-— a sound judgment— a firran^^^H||^ 
of purpose — a mind, elevated by noble dig- 
nified views — a prudence in conduct ; 6r a 
natural facility in accommodating to the oc- 
casion, and improving times and circum- 
stances to the best purposes ; and a majes- 
ty mingled with mildness, that both inspires 
veneration and creates esteem. 

These natural talents must also be im- 
proved by literature and science. 

On this foundation, laid by nature and 
improved by science, must be ere6led the 
moral and Christian virtues, to dire6l and 

adorn the whole a profound veneration 

of the majesty of heaven and earth '.—-a 
reverence for hi^authority, institutions and 
laws— :-a deep respe6l for the august tri- 
bunal of heaven, where all characters and 
every deed done in the body shall be final- 
ly tried — a rejoicing in the divine govern- 
ment ; a dependence on the divine aid ; a 
sincere regard tg the divine glory in every 



C 8 3 

undertaking, and an integrity and upright- 
ness of soul that detests deception and 
fraud in all their forms, and aims always to 
preserve a conscience void of offence to- 
w^ards God and towards man ! 

Sentiments like tViese give a noble elevaijj^ 
tJon of soul ; and, in persons of distinguish- 
ed stations, afford a sufficient security that, 
110 tru is will be betrayed ; no prhate rights 
sporu d with ; no publicli interests treach- 
ercr.sly sacrificed; no encroachments made 
on lIh:- rig Its of conscience ; nor any con- 
tempt or disregard manifested to the sacred 
laws of religion. While men of the greatest 
natural talents, if destitute of the princi- 
ples of religion, are but so much the more 
calculated to be publick scourges ; and are 
the more likely to live, either the contempt, 
or the dread of mankind ! 

The truly great man lives, not for him- 
self alone ; his enlarged mind embraces 
the general interests of his country, 
and of mankind. It is his glory to be ex- 
tensively useful. " The liberal soul de- 
viseth liberal things." Raised above sor- 
did selfishness, every useful, every great 
and benevolent objed meets his warmest 
patronage, and his liberal aid. 



[9 ] 

Is he entrusted wiih the management of 
publick affairs ; no base regard to popu- 
larity, to his own personal aggrandize- 
ment, or to serve the interest of a party, 
will ever make him swerve from the paths 
of re6litude. Alo'-ceof right; a greatnessjj|^ 
mind that dares to do ivhat h right^ will ^J^^^Bk 
lead him to pursue what he deems the cor- • | 
re6l line of his duty, unswayed by 
the frowns or the flatteries of any. 
As the servant of God ; the friend of 
man ; the lover of truth, righteousness and 
peace, he employs his talents, exerts'- his 
skill, and uses all his influence to promote 
those things that have the honour of Gcd, 
and the good of mankind as their great ob- 
ject. Such IS the tndy great n:aii 

I am II. to consider. The high im- 
portance of such men to their country. 

And, indeed, such is their importance 
that, no country can be great and happy 
where such men are wanting. 

The respectability — the security — the 
prosperity — the internal peace — and the 
the moral and religious order of a nation 
mil St depend, under God, on the aid and 
influence of such men. 

There are concerns to be managed, and 
B 



C 10 2 

interests to be promoted in every country, 
to which the weak, the ignorant, and the 
little minded arc totally unequal. 

Who shall devise the plans ; adapt the 
means ; call forth the energies of the na- 

n, and employ them all successfully for 
national honour, its security and de- 

■ce ? Who shall discern and opsn all 

le sources of improvement and wealth, 

anB give a spring to the spirit of enterprize ? 
-—Can minds of inferior mould reach to 
undertakings like these ? No ! T/jese are 
the^work of superior minds! And to every 
^^4i!S*!fbuntry these are all undertakings too im- 
portant to be overlooked, or negleded ; 
wherever they are neglected, or injudici- 
ously managed, the chara6ler of a coun- 
try is degraded and sinks ! 

In short, the respe6lability and prosperi- 
ty of every country are in exact proportion 
to the weight of talents and charader cal- 
led forth to dire6l and manage its publick 
concerns. 

Where, but to the great, the wise and the 
good, can a country with safety and with 
certainty lo'.i: for wise and wholesome 
laws, adapted to its exigencies, and calcu- 
lated to promote its best interests? On 
whom, but on such, can a country rely to 




C 11 ] 

preserve pure and unsullied the fountains 
of justice ? To whom but to such, can it 
ever look for a wise and vigorous adminis- 
tration of its government and laws ? And 
such only are truly qualified to guard the 
majesty of religion, and preserve the re 
pcdl due to its sacred institutions. 

Let these scats of high responsibilit 
degraded by weak and insufficient ^en ; 
let these fountains of power and in- 
fluence be corrupted by unprincipled, time- 
serving, and self-seeking men ; let ma- 
gistrates, strangers to the influence of%reli- 
gion themselves, cease to be a " Terrou 
evil doers, and a praise to them that do 
well," and who can calculate the mischiefs 
that, in such a state of things, must ine- 
vitably flow in upon, and overwhelm soci- 
ety ! " When the righteous are in autho- 
rity, the people rejoice ; but when the wick- 
ed bear rule, the people mourn." 

Vice, in such a case, will want its vigor- 
ous check ; virtue, its proper support ; soci- 
ety will gradually sink into a sickly, disor- 
dered state ; and the base and the profli- 
gate will become more and more embolden- 
ed and hardened in their iniquities : for it 
is a truth equally confirmed by experience 
and the word oi God that, " The wicked 



rien ; 9k 



C 12 ] 

walk on every side when the vilest men are 
exalted." 

But it is not in piiblick stations only ; but 
in the private walks of life, that truly great 
men are of so much importance. Skilled 
^ove others in the knowledge of men and 

tngs, they know better how to reach and 
move the secret springs that govern human 
mind^ ; to control the passicns of the tur- 
baient \ to inspire the love of order; to 
give a proper tone to the publick sentiment 
and the publick manners, and unite the 
common mass in views and habits, essen- 
tial to their comfort and their peace. 

Prompted by their virtue, and love to the 
best interests of mankind, they seize the 
occasions of doing good to ail as they have 
opportunity. They exert their influence 
in frowning upon vice ; encouraging virtue 
and religion ; in ameliorating and improv- 
ing the state of society ; establishing or 
cherishing useful institutions ; aiding the 
industrious poor; encouraging genius ; re- 
warding merit ; providing for the instruc- 
tion of the ignorant, and the relief of the 
distressed. 

In short, as fathers of the publick fam- 
ily, all the weight of their counsel, their 
example, their influence, and their benevo- 



r 13 ] 

lent exertions are employed to advance the 
best interests of 'their fellow men. 

Such is their importance that, should 
a country be once left destitute of their 
weight and influence, it would soon become 
the contempt and scorn of neighbouring 
nations ; and exhibit within itself, a see 
of the most pitiable disorder and wretched- 
ness ! 

And if they are of that importance to a 
country, which has been now stated , then 
surely their country have just cause to 
mourn when any such are called off by 
death ! 

My brethren and fellow citizens, we are 
now called, in the providence of God, to 
mourn an event of this nature. 

The Honourable WILLIAM PATERSON 
is no more / On the ninth instant, and in the 
sixty-first year of his age, he reached the 
period of his valuable life, and breathed 
his last ! 

Scarcely could death have removed from 
our country, a citizen of whom it may be 
more fitly said," A prince and a great 
man is fallen in our American Israel." 

His life, spent and closed as it has been, 
has afforded demonstrable proof that, he 
was truly a great man. 




C 14 3 

I feel that I hold not a pencil capable t» 
do fall justice to his cbara6ter. But, caU 
led to this service, I shall attemit such de- 
lineation as my own knowledge and the in- 
formation I possess may enable me to give. 
He was descended from reputable pa» 
^ts, and possessed from nature a strong 
Jpiprehcnsive understanding ; a clear dis- 
m<|uishing judgment ; an elevated imagin- 
ation and the powers of a commanding 
eloquence: and, though amiably modest, 
he had a native dignity and independence 
of rniiid. :From his earhest years he was 
indefatigable in his application to literary 
|p5rsuits. While a student at Nassau Hall , 
the honours of which he received as one 
of its distinguished sons, he was esteemed 
a youth of more than ordinary talents, and 
of singular application. At the close of 
his collegiate course, he entered on the stu- 
dy of the law, under that celebrated law 
charader, the Hon. Richard Stockton, Esq. 
Mr. Stockton testified a very high esteem 
of his pupil, and the greatest resped for 
his talents ; and used often confidently to 
predia that, /' Youii^. Mr. Paterson would 
soon be at the head of his profession." 
This predi6lion was indisputably verified ; 
for, notwithstanding the overbearing influ! 



[13] 

ence which, at that time, was used against 
all rising young men at the bar (not in a 
certain conne6tion) he very early rose to 
that eminence that, he was considered the 
Brightest ornament of the profession the 
bar of New- Jersey could boast. Risin 
in fame as a lawyer, and revered for hiiii 
t^ents and integrity as a man ; he was 
too distinguished to be long unnoticed by 
his country. 

America was, at that time, deeply in- 
volved in her revolutionary struggle *^ith 
Great Britain. She needed the counsel?lnd 
the aid of her best citizens. Having declar» 
ed herself free and independent, the seve- 
ral states were necessarily called upon to 
form their constitutions, or plans of civil 
government. 

A convention, for this purpose, was cal- 
led by the state of New-Jersey, to which 
Mr. Patersonwas elected, and of which he 
was a distinguished member, and its secre^ 
tary. Although, at the time, and ever af- 
ter, he disliked many of the principles and 
features of the instrument then formed and 
adopted, and gave his decided vote against it. 
From that time till his death, he was al- 
most constantly employed in important pub- 
Uck services. He received an appointment. 





[ 16 ] 

as commander of a regiment of foot ; 
was ele6ied a member of the legislative 
council, and appointed attorney general of 
the state. 

In that critical period of our country's 
airs, when a general convention of the 
|ites was called, to prepare a constitution 
and^form of government for the United 
States, Mr. Paterson was ele6led a member 
of that august body. Here he shone con- 
spicuous, as the real patriot and statesman; 
and^iterwards, for four years, he served as 
member of the senate of the United 
tates. 

On the death of that truly eminent man, 
Governor Livingston, Mr. Paterson was 
unanimously ele6ted to be his succes- 
sor, as Governor of this state, and received, 
on that occasion, the mc^st respeclful and 
affectionate addresses from all classes of 
his fellow cidzens. This high office 
he held, with honour to himself and his 
country, till he was appointed one of tiie 
Associate Justices in the Supreme Court of 
the United States. In this honourable sta- 
tion he continued, the boast and the glory 
of hi^ountry, till death, at once, put a pe- 
riod to his labours and his life ! The ele- 
vations of office he never courted ; nay, h c 



C 17 ] 

modestly declined the acceptance of sta- 
tions more distinguished than those he held. 
Strongly was he urged by the immortal 
Washington, that discerning judge of real 
merit, to accept the iiigh office of Secreta- 
ry of State ; but, without hesitation, he de- 
clined the honour, preferring the morereti 
ed duties of judicial office to all the ponS'pl 
and eclat of the department of state. 

Motives of delicacy led him, at another 
- period, to decline the offer made him to fill 
the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court of the United States. On all occa- 
sions he appeared to be governed by the 
wish, rather to do honour to office by 
an able and faithful discharge of its duties, 
than to receive honour from it. From his 
prevailing desire to be extensively useful, 
it seemed to be his great maxim, To lose no 
time. 

Amidst all his other labours, and the fa- 
tigues of office, he undertook, at the request 
of the legislature, to revise, digest, and 
make supplements to the code of lav/s of 
this state; and which, though conside a- 
bly altered from the original spirit and form 
in which it came from his hands, stilfbears 
his name. For this work h'^ ■ -eived, 
through thelegislature, the pro^ - thanks 
©f the state. -C 





L 18 ] 

He was the distinguished friend and pa- 
tlron of* Hterature ; took a lively interest in 
promoting literary institutions, and every 
species of valuable imDrovement in our 
country. For several years, he was an ac- 
tive and highly useful member of the Board 

Trustees of the College of New- Jersey. 
hen the plan was adopted, by the Ge- 
nerc^tf-^ssembly of our churcli, for promot- 
ing evangelical missions to the rising set- 
tlements OD our extensive frontiers, and to 
other destitute parts, he entered with zeal 
Into the views of the Assembly, and was 
ever ready to contribute, in the most gen- 
erous manner, to that important work. 

Indeed, it is not too much to say that, 
his pen, his purse, his counsels, and his 
influence were employed in every way, in 
which he saw it probable that he might be- 
nefit the interests of society. 

It was his lot to live in times that tried 
men's souls ; but she ue^er ivcrjcrcd, 

^n all the flu6luations and heats of par- 
t) he was temperate, but stood Jinn. 
He d a soul above the low arts of po- 
pula: . -igue ; and he cordially abhorred 
every t ^g like cmming and duplicity I True 
honour ap)^.aredto mark the whole course 
of his life, hkI the love of his country to 
be his ruling passion.," 



[ 19 ] 

On the subje^l; of religion he rcad and 
studied much. Few men, not of the cleri- 
cal profession, appeared better to under- 
stand the dotlrines both of natural and re- 
vealed religion. For the sacred scriptures 
he had the highest reverence, and was th^ 
roughly satisfied with the evidences of tl 
being of divine inspiration. He v/as a con- 
stant and serious attendant on the publick 
worship of God, and manifested much con- 
cern for the reputation and support of the 
gospel ministry. Certain doubts, respecting 
himself deterred him from making, iii the 
usual way, a publick profession of relig^^^^^^^» 
and joining in the communion of tn^^^^^ 
church ; a circumstance he greatly regret_ 
ted in his last moments : nor could he 
leave the world in peace, till he solicited 
the privilege and, on his dying bed, united 
with some pious friends in receiving the 
holy communion. And, in giving his 
dying advice to his son, he urged this 
duty on him in the most impressive and af- 
feclionate manner. 

I need not remind you, my hearers, of 
his virtues as the neighbour, the citizen, 
and the friend. You knew him v/ell; and 
the grief you manifest for his loss is the 
best evidence, how affe6lionately you re- 
Tnembcr his virtuous example — his distin 




[ 20 ] 

guished prudence— his love of justice— bis 
fidelity in friendship — his readiness to 
obi'.ge— his kindness to the poor — his gene- 
rous hospitaUty, and the dignity of his de- 
portment, tempered with all the mildness of 
amiable citizen, the agreeable, the 
tqrestihg-, and ever instructive companion. 
Pa:ssingall further notice of the virtues that 
adoillbd his private life, let me lead you to 
the last scene, and shew you this great man, 
truly great in death. 

For more than a year he had been gra- 
dually sinking under the weight of compli- 
catv(i disease, which he sustained with truly 
Christian fortitude and resignation.^ Seeing 
his end fast approaching, he sent for a par- 
ticular and intimate friend,from whom I have 
been favoured with the account of this last 
interesting interview.* When his friend 
arrived he found Jiim in the full exercise of 
his reason, entirely tranquil ; but evidently 
near his death. 

With the utmost composure he ob- 
served to his friend, " I have now done 
with the world, having disposed of all 
my affairs in it— I have no longer a wish 

* Mr. Paterson died at Albany, at the liousc of liis son- 
in-law, the Hon. Stephen Van Ransalaer, ■where he arrived, a 
few weeks before his death, on liis v/ay to try the effect of 
^he waters of Balls-Town. * 



C 21 ] 

to live, nor a wish to die ; desiring only 
that my Heavenly Father may do 
with me as seems good in his sight. 
For some years past, my mind has been 
more than ordinarily imprest with the sub- 
ject of religion. Often was I almost per- 
suaded to make a publick profession of it,' 
and join in the communion of the church. 
I regret that I did not do this : but" added 
he " my whole trust is in the atonement 
and merits of the Lord Jesus. Here rest 
all my hopes of eternal life. I know in 
whom I have believed, and I feel firmly 
persuaded that he will not disappoint^*^y 
hope." 

Thus did this truly great man resign his 
departing spirit into the hands of his Sa- 
viour and his God, in the full belief of the 
Christian religion, and died without a strug- 
gle and v/ithout a groan ! 

Such was his end. We presume not to 
say, he was perfe6t. He, knew, he felt the 
reverse. Perfe6lion belongs not to man in 
this life. He doubtless, with others, had 
his imperfe6lions, and often erred ; but 
whatever his imperfections were, a life so 
far blameless and so highly useful to men, 
has the fairest claims on our Christian cha- 
rity. 

My country, it is thy glory to have en- 



[ 22 J 

joyed the labours of such men ; nor is 
thy viiiuc so InVv* as not to laniunt wlioi 
such men fall ! 

'I'he real patriot hears the sad tidings 
with grief, and lets fall the tear of sorrow 
and respect. The bench of justice weeps 
^'^'^bathe, who so ably and so faithfully aided 
to preserve her dignity and her lustre un- 
tarpjshed, is now no more ! 

Learning, religion, and publick virtue 
v;eep, that so distinguished a friend, so 
bright an ornaraent is gone 1 

His connc6tions, his friends, his faiTiily 
mcura iiis loss ; but O ! consoling thought : 
to them his life has bequeathed respecl ; 
to them his death administers instru6tion, 
consolation and peace ! 

This church mourns the zealoUvS friend, 
that so adively aided to rear these Vvalls, to 
maintain God's v/orship here, and that has 
so often united with us in the solemnities 
of these sacred courts. No more shall we 
see him taking his seal with us, in this earth- 
ly sanctuary. But Heaven forbids us to 
repine : he has gone to worship in the 
courts above ! 

Ye real patriots of '76 ; ye tried fric7uh ot 
virtue and your country, how are your 
ranks fast tlnnning avv'ay ! How are your 
numbersj one by one, melting down. — He 






[ 23 ] 

that stood "by you ; that Went with you 
that jointly lent his best efforts to promote 
our country's prosperuy and glor}', has Viow 
finished his course ! — Let not the patriotic 
ilame be extinguished in your bosoms. Be 
it your chief concern, like hirn, to pursue, 
undeviating, the paths of rectitude, and be''-^ 
faithful to the death* 

Citizens of Nev/ Brunsv/icl?:, vvhile^you 
remember, emulate his virtues. Let noKpub- 
iick spirit wither ; let it appear thaS we 
have profited by his great examph 

Ye youths, the rising hope of your coWkry, 
what a model has his life afforded for^iir 
imitation ! Like him, Ihe to be useful. And 
cherish, while you live, that virtue and pie- 
ty, essential to a character truly great ; and 
that can alone prepare you for a peaceful 
and a happy death. Ye that liave hitherto 
thought too lightly of religion, let a death 
so instructive teach you its infinite im.por- 
tance ! Ah, let me lead you to the deatii- 
bed of our much honoured friend ! Let the 
dying Paterson speak ! Methinks I hear 
him address you ! '' Friends, companions, 
accjuaintances of my former days, let not a 
vain world deceive you. That religion, to 
which Heaven hath set its seal, claims your 
first, your most serious attention. Death 

will soon place you, like me, on the verge 



[ 24 ] 

of eternity I Soon, from the borders of the 
grave, must you take your retrospe6l of 
life ! Preparation for this momentous pe- 
riod admits no trifling nor delay. Let a 
dying friend conjure youto fly, without delay, 
to the sanctuary of the Redeemer's grace — to 
make the religion of Jesus the great busi- 
J^ess of life ! Possessing this religion, you 
have an anchor of the soul, sure and sted- 
fast. You will descend, undismayed into 
the valley of the shadov/ of death ; and, 
when every earthly joy is parting forever 
from^you, you will enjoy a heavenly peace, 
of v/hich not death itself can rob you." 

Believers in Jesus, another noble testimony 
is given to the truth and eternal importance 
of that religion you profess. The peace, 
the serenity of soul, and the last words of 
our departed friend, like a voice from Hea- 
ven, bids you " Not to be asham.ed of the 
gospel of Christ ; " but, " To hold fast the 
profession of your faith, without wavering, 
unto the end." 

I^et scoffing infidels boast no more the 
long ranks of sceptick philosophers that 
mock at the Christian's hope. — In this hope, 
with a soul tranquil as the summer'.s setting 
sun, and beaming with heavenly joy, the 
wise, the learned, the truly great Pater- 
son breathed his last ! 

With such a death in view, who would 
not join in the wish, " Let me die the death 
of the righteous, and let my last end be 
like his !" Amen. 



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